Welcome to the Orioles Nation Forums! Like most online communities, you must register to post on our message board. However, posting is free--it always will be--and registration is a simple process. Become part of the growing Orioles Nation community and register now!

ofahn wrote:I'm beginning to become optimistic that DD will be a serious player when the Cubans become available.

I hope so. I think they are certainly interested, but Cespedes and Soler are a different breed of international talent. I would assume they have 3-7 more teams interest in them then what Chen had

To sign some of those players we may have to pay a premium of 10 - 15% extra as a "pathetic tax". While it galls me to think that's the case, I would pay the extra to add talent that doesn't require spending players or prospects. The farm system has been neglected for so long that the bill has come due and it will take your breath away.

I don't know whether PA would have ever approved 60M for Edwin Jackson, but wouldn't it be nice if he were to give that money to DD and allow him to use it this winter to sign MORE international talent? We MIGHT (MIGHT) be able to add Cespedes, Soler and three or four advanced Cuban pitchers that would make the upper levels of our farm system look a whole lot different. Cue Dan Hartman - I Can Dream About You.

I think Tillman, Arrieta, Matusz either make the rotation or head to AAA. Eveland, Hunter , Wada, and Simon either make the rotation or are in the bullpen.

But I think Hunter has just as good a chance to lock up a spot as anyone. He already has ML experience too, so Buck may feel more comfortable going with him anyways

Yes I was reading from Rock Kubatko on Masnsports.com that Hunter figures to be included in the rotation and Wada will more likely be pushed to the bullpen. Rotation: Guthrie, Chen, Hunter, Britton, ArrietaBullpen: Johnson, Strop, Simon, O'Day, Gregg, Patton, WadaAAA Rotation: Eveland, Tillman, Bergy, Matusz, Berken/Vandenhurkdepth, and lots of it

Lot of questions still on this signing: how good is Chen?? Does his curveball translate well to MLB?? Can this guy adjust to America?? If these Asians work out, I think we've thankfully seen the last of TIllman and Bergesen

osforlife wrote:What does this mean for Hunter? Trip to AAA or swing man?

I think that depends on how long Guthrie is still on the team. I see the team expecting Hunter, Arrieta, and Britton to start the season as SP. That leaves Guthrie, Wada, and Chen to fill two spots. Do the math.

osforlife wrote:What does this mean for Hunter? Trip to AAA or swing man?

I think that depends on how long Guthrie is still on the team. I see the team expecting Hunter, Arrieta, and Britton to start the season as SP. That leaves Guthrie, Wada, and Chen to fill two spots. Do the math.

Im with you on that. Although I think Arrieta, Britton and Tillman still need to "earn" spots. But if someone held a gun to my head and said to guess the rotation I would say:

Guthrie, Chen, Britton, Hunter, Arrieta.

I think Matusz might be put in AAA by default but he could easily take a spot with a great spring training. Also you never know what happens on the injury front. The good thing about this season is that we finally have a little depth.

From everything I've read on Wada it seems like they promised him he will be a starter. It will look really bad if we did indeed promise him that and then stick him in the bullpen to start the season. If they did promise him a chance to start I think you have to give him that chance to start the season.